The Quest for Good Governance in Nigeria: A Reflection

Abstract

Nigeria’s governance and development experience since independent remains a paradox that continues to defy conventional wisdom. In the midst of fabulous oil wealth, mass poverty, economic stagnation, endemic corruption, political instability, weak public institutions, insecurity, and social conflict are common features that have characterised the Nigerian state. The focus of this paper therefore, is on the challenges of governance in Nigeria. The elite’s theory was used as the theoretical framework of this paper. This paper also employs a content analysis in exploring the trajectory of development and governance in Nigeria and concludes that there is need to correctly evaluate our past, boldly asses the present, so that we can make useful contributions to the glorious tomorrow for generations yet unborn. It recommends among others; the need for the political leadership and the ruling elites to imbibe and practice the core values of good governance and democracy in Nigeria and also the need for the citizens to become active participant in the governance process in Nigeria.